building_assessments

This page is directly from Wiggins, McTighe, Understanding By Design 2nd Ed. 2005

Using Six Facets to Build Assessments for Understanding

A student who really understands.......

Can Explain..... Demonstrates sophisticated explanatory power and insight.

Is able to.....

Provide complex, insightful, and credible reasons--theories and principles, based on good evidence and argument--to explain or illuminate an event, fact, text, or idea; show meaningful connections; provide a systematic account, using helpful and vivid mental models. Make fine, subtle distinctions, aptly qualify her opinions. See and argue for what is central, the big ideas, pivotal moments, decisive evidence, key questions, etc. Make good predictions -Avoid or overcome common misunderstandings and superficial or simplistic views. -Reveal a personalized, thoughtful, and coherent grasp of a subject. Using what she knows or on simulated experience. -Substantiate or justify her views with sound argument and evidence.

Can Interpret..... Offers powerful, meaningful interpretations, translations, narratives.

Is able to.....

Effectivelty and sensitively interpret texts, data, and situations—perhaps “reading between the lines” to offer meaning and purpose. Offer a meaningful and illuminating account of complex situations and people—shown for example, by the ability to provide historical and biographical background to help make the ideas more accessible and relevant.

Can Apply..... Uses knowledge in context, has know-how.

Is able to.....

Employ her knowledge effectively in diverse, authentic, and realistically messy contexts. Extend or apply what she knows in a novel and effective way (invent in the sense of innovate, as in Piaget’s To Understand is to Invent)

Sees in Perspective.....

Is able to.....

Critique and justify a position, that is to see it as a point of view. Place facts and theories in context; know the questions or problem to which the knowledge or theory is an answer or solution. Infer the assumptions upon which an idea is or theory is based. Know the limits as well as the power of data. See through argument or language that is biased, partisan or ideological. See and explain the importance or worth of an idea. Take a critical stance, wisely employing both criticism and relief.

Demonstrates Empathy.....

Is able to.....

Project himself into, feel and appreciate another’s situation, position, point of view. Operate on the assumption that even an apparently odd or obscure comment, text, person, or set of ideas may contain insights that justify working to understand it. See when incomplete or flawed views are plausible, even insightful, though perhaps somewhat incorrect or outdated. See and explain how an idea or theory can be all too easily misunderstood by others. Watch and listen sensitively and to perceive what others often do not.

Reveals Self-Knowledge.....

Is able to.....

Recognize his own prejudices and style and how they color understanding; see how to get beyond egocentrism, present-centeredness, nostalgia, either/or thinking. Engage in effective metacognition, recognize intellectual style, strengths, and weaknesses. Question his own convictions, be intellectually honest, and admit ignorance. Accurately self assess and effectively self regulate. Accept feedback and criticism without defensiveness. Regularly reflect on the meaning of one’s own learning and experiences.